Vampire Weekend
by Vampire Weekend
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Jan 29, 2008
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 321 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 288 out of 321
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 321
  3. Negative: 14 out of 321

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  1. DavidO.
    Mar 10, 2008
    10
    Fantastic. But then again, I'm a sucker for funky, slightly different pop, and that's exactly what this is.
  2. MM.
    Mar 1, 2008
    10
    One of the early front runners. Superb musicianship and songwriting. Just an outstanding debut.
  3. ChadS.
    Jan 30, 2008
    10
    Is Vampire Weekend this generation's Talking Heads? Maybe this is their "77". The songs have the same minimalist approach to arrangement, and more importantly, the lyrics are artfully mundane like David Byrne's "Don't Worry 'Bout the Government". "M79" is amazing. It's suggestive of the Electric Light Orchestra dipping into Afro-pop. The other standout is "I Stand Is Vampire Weekend this generation's Talking Heads? Maybe this is their "77". The songs have the same minimalist approach to arrangement, and more importantly, the lyrics are artfully mundane like David Byrne's "Don't Worry 'Bout the Government". "M79" is amazing. It's suggestive of the Electric Light Orchestra dipping into Afro-pop. The other standout is "I Stand Corrected". I like how the chorus sneaks up on you with its catchiness. It sort of follows the quiet/loud formula of Nirvana and The Pixies. "I Stand Corrected" starts off like a Low song and then they turn into Bloc Party, or Matt Pond PA, if Matt Pond PA weren't into Toad the Wet Sprocket. Every song on this eponymous debut is a keeper, with the possible exception of "Bryn". Will Vampire Weekend keep this stripped down approach, or will they open up their sound. Do they have a "Remain in Light" in them? This ain't no shanty town; this ain't no Johannesberg; this ain't no fooling around. This is Cape Cod. Fear them. "Vampire Weekend" makes indie-rock music fun again. We needed this album.… Expand
  4. [Anonymous]
    Mar 5, 2008
    10
    Very catch album that I don't get tired of listening to!
  5. CrystalS.
    May 19, 2008
    10
    I don't think this album is overrated like some of the reviewers. I think its one of the best of the year and deserves the praise it has gotten. I can listen to the whole album through without skipping a song and each song sounds different than the next. M79 is one of the most original songs I have heard in years, and a-punk is the kind of catchy song you can listen to on repeat for days.
  6. JonathanS.
    Feb 8, 2009
    10
    This is the most original album I have ever heard in my life! This is a must get for any cool kids out there. Imagine living in an house, looking over the beach, beautiful blue sky and crystal blue water. You have a metal spiral staircase and hard wood floors. You have amazing floor-ceiling glass windows overlooking the wispy sand of the East Coast. You have a golden retriever curled up This is the most original album I have ever heard in my life! This is a must get for any cool kids out there. Imagine living in an house, looking over the beach, beautiful blue sky and crystal blue water. You have a metal spiral staircase and hard wood floors. You have amazing floor-ceiling glass windows overlooking the wispy sand of the East Coast. You have a golden retriever curled up on your white carpet, near the flat panel hung on the wall and the modern simple den. It is a studio apartment, one would say its a dream. As you walk through the studio, from the white simple den to the porch level with the sandy ground, you hear a sound so wonderful it complements the apartment, white and modern. Thats Vampire Weekend.… Expand
  7. JustinM.
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    Can an album be more likeable? It's so PLEASING in so many ways. Great new sound, with throwbacks to early Police albums and believe it or not, Paul Simon's Graceland. Great energy and airy open beats and tones. Love it.
  8. IlyaR
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    It's no accident that about 3/4 of these reviews reference The Strokes. Not since "Is This It" have I heard an album where each and every one of its 11 songs are so complete, so precise, so innovative, and so melodically full. The richness of synth-string arrangements and shitfy drum-work on songs like "M79" and "Walcott" is invigorating. And the rolling guitars and addicting riffs It's no accident that about 3/4 of these reviews reference The Strokes. Not since "Is This It" have I heard an album where each and every one of its 11 songs are so complete, so precise, so innovative, and so melodically full. The richness of synth-string arrangements and shitfy drum-work on songs like "M79" and "Walcott" is invigorating. And the rolling guitars and addicting riffs sparsed throughout the album (like at the end of "Campus") have enough Strokes reverberation to warrant the New York Music Gods mantle. Of course it's ultimately the lyrics that put these guys over the top, with songs that are both mind-bendingly clever ("Oxford Comma") and tenderly evocative ("I Stand Corrected"). This is, simply, like nothing else out there, and, despite all the hype, the impact these guys will have on music is still painfully underestimated. Perfect album.… Expand
  9. RuiT.
    Feb 6, 2008
    10
    Three words to this album: Top! Top! Top! Indie-pop-rock-funk-african-classical music! Life is Sun! Life is Fun! Life is Vampire Weekend...when we are Young!
  10. MicahC.
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    You can go ahead and shut down the voting for album of the year. Hopefully '09 will provide us something so inspired so early. The Strokes are back.
  11. NatalieM.
    Mar 22, 2008
    10
    Koodos to these kids!! My 73 year old mother turned me on to these young kids from NY after she saw them on SNL. My mother loves ALL types of music. We are thrilled that these young kids are so versatile. Their CD is very lively and reminds us a bit of Paul Simon & TheTalking Heads, too. We so hope they can continue putting out such unique music. We'll be watching them!!
  12. HannahE.
    Apr 2, 2008
    10
    Definitely my favorite band of the moment. Fresh, Fun, very catchy songs and lyrics...but not too catchy. I love every song. Quite inventive and original.
  13. WillO.
    Jan 31, 2008
    10
    This band is on the rise. From the minute you hear Mansard Roof you will realize how special they are. They got a fresh sound that sounds nothing like music today. They blend together some afro-pop with a hint of Paul Simon. It is a flawless album with melodies that you will be singing for years to come. Every track here is excellent. There is no way to narrow it down to one favorite, This band is on the rise. From the minute you hear Mansard Roof you will realize how special they are. They got a fresh sound that sounds nothing like music today. They blend together some afro-pop with a hint of Paul Simon. It is a flawless album with melodies that you will be singing for years to come. Every track here is excellent. There is no way to narrow it down to one favorite, though Walcott and A-Punk are frontrunners. These guys are the real deal, this album is one of the best indie releases for a while. You can't go wrong with this. This band is the future.… Expand
  14. EricC.
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    Yeah, they're getting really hyped up, but it's hype well-deserved. This album has one catchy song after another. They're like the best of The Shins combined with the best of Spoon, but with enough of their own fresh touches to create their own unique sound. They masterfully use the Afropop that Paul Simon had tried to master. Each member of the band is an extremely Yeah, they're getting really hyped up, but it's hype well-deserved. This album has one catchy song after another. They're like the best of The Shins combined with the best of Spoon, but with enough of their own fresh touches to create their own unique sound. They masterfully use the Afropop that Paul Simon had tried to master. Each member of the band is an extremely talented musician. The lyrics are some of the best I've heard in a while; they're well written, but not so "poetic" that they bog down the songs. Walcott is amazing.… Expand
  15. JenniferK
    Feb 6, 2008
    10
    A refreshing reason to be excited about music again! Their sound uses an incredible array of sound without ever over-appropriating, and their lyrics actually make you think. My favorite band in a long, long time.
  16. C.Kim
    Mar 12, 2008
    10
    Wow. All I can say is I'm telling all my friends about Vampire Weekend. I've never taking a liking to a band just after listening to their first track.
  17. GilbertSmith
    Mar 16, 2008
    10
    i Love it. It's the best thing since Hannah Montana season !!!!!
  18. MarcoS.
    Jun 11, 2008
    10
    F*ck yeah! one of the best of 2008. Every melody defines them.
  19. RyanM.
    Nov 18, 2008
    10
    It's been months and months since I first heard this album. Still, to this day, I always find myself coming back for a listen. I greatly enjoy music and the lyrics. I personally think this is a very talented band with an impressive debut album.
  20. AllanC.
    Jan 29, 2008
    10
    This album is special to me personally because I had bought the CD-R and I have been listening to the same tracks for about a year now and I can attest that the music is still great from when I heard it awhile ago. It is poppy/catchy music but with enough substance and differences that make Vampire Weekend stand out. Very deserving of the hype.
  21. JDW.
    Jan 29, 2008
    10
    So Amazing. Every song has its own life on the record. It fits as a story of college life. It deserves all the hype its gotten!!
  22. MulisK.
    Feb 14, 2008
    10
    Very melodic, very funny, very nice.
  23. RandyP
    Feb 18, 2008
    10
    Super fun album, but I fear the inevitable backlash from the hipster cognoscente has already begun.
  24. PeterS.
    Mar 13, 2008
    10
    I put up about 5 days of resistance.
  25. GigiM.
    Apr 24, 2008
    10
    One of the best of 2008. As soon as it's over, I play it again.
  26. CaseyP.
    Jun 27, 2008
    10
    This album is amazing! With the fun, happy and catchy tunes that a listener would love to hear at any time, it makes me want to jump for joy every time I hear it. The album's combination of beautiful classical music, skillful synth work and catchy riffs, it makes me feel good any time I listen to it. My only complaint is its length, at only 38 minutes long, the album only just This album is amazing! With the fun, happy and catchy tunes that a listener would love to hear at any time, it makes me want to jump for joy every time I hear it. The album's combination of beautiful classical music, skillful synth work and catchy riffs, it makes me feel good any time I listen to it. My only complaint is its length, at only 38 minutes long, the album only just satisfied me. However, I believe these guys are one of the greatest new bands of the last few years. Great job!… Expand
  27. JCGuerrero
    Mar 18, 2011
    10
    Fantastic. Engaging and creative band, with similar characteristics to the Hives. I agree with Chads, Is Vampire Weekend this generation's Talking Heads, undoubtedly :)
  28. ZacharyMatson
    Jul 22, 2011
    10
    It's rare to find an album as perfect as this. Vampire Weekend has such a unique sound and flavor if you will that it makes it impossible not to love. A very impressive start to a very impressive new band.
  29. drlowdon
    Feb 8, 2014
    10
    Genre: Alternative
    The debut album from Vampire Weekend quickly established them as one of my favourite bands. A great mix of upbeat and slower tempo tunes that are all stamped with their own unique quality.
  30. GHopp8
    Oct 7, 2013
    10
    A perfect album trough and through. The self-titled album is one of the most refreshing pieces in modern music. Arcade Fire has almost seemingly invented a style of music than can be defined as the "Vampire Weekend Style." A perfect album, no song is a let down, it's pure fun that makes one envision themselves in Cape Cod.
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Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2008
14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2008
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Fully realized debut albums like Vampire Weekend come along once in a great while, and these songs show that this band is smart, but not too smart for their own good.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    Listeners are only too lucky to get a hot breath of summer fun in these cold winter months.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Globe
    80
    At its best, Vampire Weekend takes the exceedingly familiar template of indie rock and invigorates it with a chiming guitar sound that suggests the band has been spending its downtime browsing afropop.org.
    Read full review
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